Four days in the hot-spot money pit that is Montauk have me hoping I’m not going to miss some of this week’s big books. With apologies to Van Halen:

Ain’t Montaukin’ ’bout love

Vacay will keep me from the store

Ain’t Montaukin’ ’bout love

Cash-only shopping–I’m poor, yeah, I’m poor!

Doesn’t mean I won’t get out to Android’s to pick up these books, some semi-good lookin’ and some–mostly from the increasingly impressive Avatar Press–downright I&N Demand.

Harrow County #4 (Dark Horse)

Rebels #5 (Dark Horse)

String Divers #1 (IDW)

The Beauty #1 (Image)

The Fade Out #8 (Image)

Injection #4 (Image)

Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1 (Image): Just I&N and I&N Demand The team of Gillen, McKelvie, and Wilson–I think they’re OK. (OK: more than OK, really. OK?) If you don’t give them proper credit, you better just walk away–or I’ll slap you upside the head with a copy–I’ll make you pick your own copy, too; there’s a switch!–of The Wicked + The Divine to set your damn head straight. Oh, baby: I’m mad–on a roll, right? And to think: I missed the original Phonogram series; so I’m coming to this kinda like a virgin, no?

Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1

Starve #3 (Image): I&N Demand Through two: Starve is full of bold, assertive notes–it’s a massive success! When Gavin–Starve‘s Top Chef–tells Sheldon, “I’m going to show you my city,” I hear Brian Wood himself, who’s so very good at cooking up deliciously diverse worlds with depth of flavor; and his art team of Danijel Zezelj and Dave Stewart (a 2015 Innie nominee for Best Colorist) are the perfect sous chefs, plating–er, paneling–with brash black lines and shadows amplified by alternating–and often blended for a striking contrast–warm and cool tones. Hungry for more? I sure am!

Starve #3

Velvet #11 (Image)

18 Days #2 (Graphic India)

Americatown #1 (BOOM!)

Bloodshot: Reborn #5 (Valiant)

Crossed +100 #7 (Avatar) I&N Demand Alan Moore’s set the stage for Si Spurrier with a sick six issue arc that relied on obsessively intricate world building and long-fuse storytelling; but, damn, did it explode in the end. What an effing payoff! Man, Moore didn’t have to cross the Crossed line to be affective–he just went and redrew the brown out of it. Now, Spurrier’s no stranger to Crossed. In this case, however, he’s working off of Moore’s notes, which puts him in an odd position: he’s sort of a filter, right? One that might miss the mark tone-wise; hell, he might languish a bit with the oft-awkward language Moore’s crafted. It’s a risky proposition, for sure. Spurrier–the winner of the 2014 Innie Award for Best Writer–is pretty damn great, but he’s not Moore. Here’s hoping that he’s not much less, either.

Crossed +100 #7

Death Sentence: London #3 (Titan)

Mercury Heat #2 (Avatar)

Providence #3 (Avatar): I&N Demand Patient, potent: Providence is only two issues in, but Moore’s in deep–basement deep–and we’re right there with him. His commitment to the book is palpable, and he demands one from us; he demands our full attention–and Cthulhu knows he’s going to take advantage of it!

Providence #3

Über #27 (Avatar): I&N Demand Kieron Gillen’s delivered some strong issues along the way, but none as powerful as #26. Leah’s deployment was “everything [I] could have hoped for”–and more. Sure, the German Battleships may have gotten the best of the Brits in this, “the largest enhanced confrontation on the Western Front,” but I was emotionally destroyed by the relationship between HMHs Churchill and Dunkirk. Goddammit, Gillen’s killin’ it!

No, really. I’ve got a hole in my heart. As of right now, however, my cardiologist is pretty firm in his opinion that comics are not the best option with which to fill it.

I’m in the market for a second opinion.

Hellboy & The B.P.R.D. #4 (Dark Horse): Hellish back-grenading, murderous monkey monsters, “insane Frankenstein crap,” and an ominous mound of bones–if that’s not enough to bring a reader back for more, I don’t know what is!

Lady Killer #3 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand #1 was one of our Top 5 books of January. It announced its arrival: “Killer comic calling!” and left quite an impression. #2 didn’t have the same effect–mostly because there was no surprise this time, and expectations were high going into it–but it certainly didn’t disappoint. Joëlle Jones’ artwork is the big draw here–it’s elegantly aggressive and sells Josie’s separate spheres very well. (Doesn’t hurt that it’s polished off to murderous–and motherly–perfection by Laura Allred’s color palette time machine.) Story-wise: despite Josie’s denial, there’s definitely trouble on the horizon–yeah, Jones and Jamie S. Rich aren’t kidding around with the dilemma that’s driving the plot into #3.

Lady Killer #3

Neverboy #1 (Dark Horse): Shaun Simon and Tyler Jenkins are blurring the lines “between the real and the imaginary.” That’s right up my alley, gents! (Consider how blown away I was–still am–by the lengths Matt Kindt went to tearing down the aforementioned lines in Mind MGMT #30, our favorite book of January. Now, that’s how you do it!) Oh, I’ll bite all right. Professional prognostication: I’m thinking that this particular pick’ll be positively Pan-ed!

Detective Comics #40 (DC): All of a sudden, my Bat-book of choice is Manapul and Buccellato’s Detective. How the heck did that happen? The world’s gone mad! It’s–it’s–Anarky!

G.I. Joe #6 (IDW): Through #4, I was all in. I was like, “Yo Joe!” I was 13 again–except for the fact that this wasn’t your grandHama‘s G.I. Joe; this was an elevated–and engrossing–approach from novelist Karen Traviss. Again, through #4. #5? A rather muddled mess. Damn thing’s literally all over the place! Suddenly, I’m left wondering how much more I can take.

Descender #1 (Image) Just I&N and I&N Demand Lemire’s Descender is only the second title to earn both designations! (The first: last week’s Mister X: Razed from master builder Dean Motter.) The blurb on previewsworld.com has me thinking Blade Runner meets Essex County. Yes, please. Is there any doubt that this’ll ascend to the top of our list for the month of March? Yeah. Didn’t think so.

Descender #1

Nameless #2 (Image): If it weren’t Morrison, I’d be off after one. I mean, I’m totally occulted out at this point. If this issue isn’t particularly tight, I’m going to review it this way: Morrison’s occult/sci-fi mash up is Thomas Alsloppy.

Saga #26 (Image): Revolution calling!

All-New Hawkeye #1 (Marvel) I&N Demand Hoping that Lemire is fully invested–that he’s not going to be working at a fraction of his capabilities, especially now that he’s spreading himself as thin as a bowstring. Boy, does he have a huge quiver to fill! Also hoping that he doesn’t miss the mark as he did with Green Arrow.

All-New Hawkeye #1

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #10 (Marvel): I&N Demand #9 was another explosion of kinetic cartooning from Kaare Andrews. Great splashes, great layouts–the art as a whole elevates an already solid story, solid writing. Reads with an energy similar to Kindt’s Mind MGMT. “Ha-ha-hee!” That’s high praise around these parts!

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #10

Miracleman #16 (Marvel) I&N Demand Classic isn’t strong enough a word to describe #15. There are moments–impossible moments amplified by impossible choices–still gnawing at me. It’s angels hurling mountains at each other; it’s George pulling the trigger. It’s Alan Moore firing a canon at the superhero and building him anew.

Blackcross #1 (Dynamite): This is an Ellis buy. Recent résumé: Moon Knight was one of our Top Ten Books of 2014. Trees, however, has been freakishly frustrating. (He’s got to know that–he’s got to! So there’s got to be a reason for his frustrating the hell out of us, right? Am I too trusting?) Even though I don’t have any experience with Project Superpowers, I’m going to give it a try.

Über #23 (Avatar): Gillen Hitlered a bunch of high notes in the most recent act of his Wagnerian war story. “Capitulation or immolation,” indeed!

X-O Manowar #34 (Valiant): Remains one of the most consistent monthlies. Never reaches rarefied air, but doesn’t need to to be effective. The book’s biggest strength remains Aric, who has remained true to himself–and to us–thanks to Venditti’s thoughtful approach to his plight and his power.

Snow what? I’m definitely digging the blizzard of comics–whether good or bad–in the forecast for my area.

Resurrectionists #4 (Dark Horse)

Astro City #20 (DC/Vertigo)

Satellite Sam #11 (Image): I&N Demand Sam‘s been gone for a while. Can’t wait to get back into the sordid swing of things. Hope my guy has it in stocking–I mean, stock. Gosh. This cover’s got me Chaykin in my heels.

Satellite Sam #11

Southern Bastards #6 (Image): I&N Demand The shift in the focus of the narrative was surprising, sure. It’s also been pretty boss. A punishing tale of persistence that is its own reward.

Southern Bastards #6

All-New X-Men #36 (Marvel)

Darth Vader #1 (Marvel)

Thor #5 (Marvel)

Brides of Helheim #4 (Oni)

Divinity #1 (Valiant): Just I&N Matt Kindt’s next Valiant venture.Sure, I didn’t like Rai very much; I even lost interest in Unity pretty quickly. But I’m enjoying The Valiant and am curious to see Kindt’s take on Ninjak. This, however, is the one I’m looking forward to the most. I certainly wouldn’t mind if Kindt manages to give me another book to love–you know, to eventually fill the massive void that’ll be created as Mind MGMT reaches its inevitable end.

Divinity #1

Magnus: Robot Fighter #11 (Dynamite)

Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody #5 (Valiant)

Rachel Rising #31 (Abstract Studio)

The Sixth Gun #46 (Oni)

Über #22 (Avatar)

War Stories #5 (Avatar)

Wild’s End #6 (BOOM!): I&N Demand Wild’s End ends here. How much does that suck!? The first five issues have been anthropomorphically delicious! We have been in love with this series–from Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard–since the deceptively simple and surprisingly affective first issue. (Between you, me, and the scary-ass lamppost: we loved it so much that we named it one of our favorite books of 2014. No, you haven’t missed anything: we haven’t gotten around to publishing the list yet; but it’s coming soon–I promise.) If you’ve pretty much missed the train on this one, do yourself a favor and put the trade on your list. You will not be disappointed.

The Squidder #2 (IDW): Squids are in the air, and I’d definitely like to draw another breath of ’em as drawn by Ben Templesmith. The story is familiar, sure, but it’s delivered well enough.

Alex + Ada #8 (Image): The series has been a solid read with clean images and fluid artistic transitions that speak as loudly as the words. It’s an against the odds love story with a dark cloud hanging over it. Waiting on the storm and worrying about Alex and Ada all along.

Alex + Ada #7

Clone #19 (Image): Continues to be one of the most kinetic comics on the shelf. Yeah, this book cooks! #18 offered a couple of Chubby twists that promise a checkered future for all involved. (Sorry about that.)

Lazarus #10 (Image): Re: #15: Circumstances conspire and both Michael and Casey end up in the employ of the Carlyles. Was there ever any other end? Nah. But Innie Award nominee (Best Writer) Greg Rucka and Michael Lark get there so well. Yet another exercise in excellent storytelling. Our #7 book of 2013 is well on its way to claiming a spot in the Top Ten of 2014.

Lazarus #10

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #5 (Marvel): Re: #5: Some of the best bedroom action I’ve seen in some time. Talk about getting laid…out. Yeah, Kaare Andrews pricks up the pace with some passionate paneling–and one of my favorite splash pages, like, ever! Never has a bottom lip been bitten so beautifully–in a comic book, anyway. Go Brenda! Love her line, “Show me some Kung-Fu.” Throw in an iron fist-full of father-son issues and you’ve got yourself one hell of a book. If you’re not reading this yet, you should punch yourself in the face.

Miracleman #9 (Marvel): Been stockpiling my Miracleman. Gonna hafta get on that soon–or it might take a miracle to catch up.

Moon Knight #6 (Marvel): Warren Ellis may have earned our Biggest Dis(appointment) of June, but it certainly wasn’t for Moon Knight. He and Declan Shalvey have been producing some excellent vignettes with the multifaceted Marc Spector. This, sadly, is their last go ’round before giving up creative control to the talented team of Brian Wood (The Massive) and Greg Smallwood (Dream Thief).

Moon Knight #6

Original Sin #5.3 (Marvel): Ack! I missed #5.2. Forgot I was buying an Original Sin book, you know, because of Loki. I mean, why else would I be buying an Original Sin book?

Rocket Raccoon #2 (Marvel): Ain’t gonna lie: #1 was fun. Will probably pass, though, despite what Skottie Young is bringing to the prickly procyonid–unless, of course, I don’t pass, which is far more likely. Ugh! I have no self control!

The Bunker #5 (Oni Press): I liked #4 a lot. Thought the dialogue and the emotions were very real. Overall, Fialkov and Infurnari are telling a terrific story with perfect timing.

The Extinction Parade: War #2 (Avatar): I’ve enjoyed The Extinction Parade saga a lot more than I thought I would. (It’s true: I originally started picking it up for my wife–who hasn’t touched it.) Yes, it’s been “bottomless slaughter,” but it hasn’t been mindless slaughter. Max Brooks is offering an elevated apocalyptic experience, amplified by undeadly detailed artwork from Raulo Caceres.

God Is Dead: The Book of Acts Alpha (Avatar): Si Spurrier–the 2014 Innie Award Winner for Best Writer (Six-Gun Gorilla, Numbercruncher)–brings a little life to God Is Dead with the immortal Alan Moore. You read that right: Spurrier and Moore. Safe to say it’s a must buy.

God Is Dead: The Book of Acts Alpha

Harbinger: Omegas #1 (Valiant): Not too sure why this couldn’t have just been Harbinger #26. Is it rebootalism? Guess it really doesn’t matter. Dysart’s been telling a good story with these characters. They certainly deserve to live on–whatever the title.

SIP (Strangers in Paradise) Kids #1 (Abstract Studio): Oh, why not? Yeah, Rachel Rising has lost a lot of its shine. But here’s Terry Moore having fun with the characters for whom he’s best known–by turning them into six-year-olds.

The Sixth Gun: Days of the Dead #1 (Oni Press): Anything The Sixth Gun is going to find its way into my bag.

Terminal Hero #1 (Dynamite): Peter Milligan had a nice run on Valiant’s Shadowman. I’ll try him out here, where he’s teamed up with Sex‘s Piotr Kowalski.

Über #16 (Avatar): Über‘s riding quite a high. Heck, I was close to dropping it around the time the Special came out. Since then, however, it’s been terrific. I’d go as far to say it’s Gillen’s best current work–including the wildly hyped The Wicked & The Divine.

As you know, our sign off is “Turning pages.” As of today, for the foreseeable future, I’ll also be “turning Paige’s” whatever it is she wants me to turn or needs me to turn. That’s right: my second daughter was born this afternoon–and still I’m making sure to get this list out on time! So here it is: What’s I&N Store: The Hospital Edition:

Clone #18 (Image): Clone is humming along, as solid as ever, with ethical dilemmas driving the plot–toward a collision between the clones and the coalition. Will Luke kill the father and son? Will Laura kidnap Luke’s son? Gosh, I hope so.

East of West #13 (Image): Re: #12: the entire issue is a meeting amongst the nations. Just a meeting, you ask? Oh, no, not just a meeting: it’s the best damned meeting, like, ever! Xiaolian Mao makes the case for war; and Hickman and Dragotta use some superior panel work to take us around a very tense table, giving all in attendance the opportunity to explode with rage–or with something else, you know, like, in the case of Mr. Graves, a bomb. East of West has been very good of late, with this issue standing as one of the strongest of the series thus far.

Lazarus #9 (Image): #8 was one of our top books of April. Check out why here.

Lazarus #9

Satellite Sam #9 (Image): Did you get your Tijuana Bible straight away? Or did you have to ask for the insert? Did you kinda cringe after opening it and then shove it inside Sam and place it all together on your finished pile? Dirty distraction aside, #8 was very good. Almost earned Top Five honors for May. Sure, Fraction’s earning raves for the wildly overrated Sex Criminals, which I’ve dumped as of #6 after having realized that I could have this conversation with my friends for free; but his best work is right here.

Sheltered #10 (Image): A fist-pumping “Yes!” moment was enough to sell me on another issue. Yeah, I’m talking about Curt’s gettin’ his comeuppance and about taking Sheltered one issue at a time.

Sidekick #7 (Image): I ended up liking the first arc a lot. Definitely my favorite of the Joe’s Comics offerings. Clearly my favorite, considering the fact that it’s the only one I’ve stuck with. Oh, and I haven’t been turned off by Straczynski’s borrowing from himself (see the first arc of The Twilight Zone); after the initial surprise, it was just something worth remarking.

Southern Bastards #3 (Image): We loved #1 and celebrated it as a Top 5 book of April. #2, while a decent single issue, suffered in comparison to such a strong opening statement. Here’s another strong statement: I’m hoping that Aaron and Latour rebound here; otherwise, I may consider pulling the Bastards from my pull list.

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #4 (Marvel): #3 was a particularly strong issue. Hasn’t taken long for writer/artist Kaare Andrews to assume complete control over Danny Rand/Iron Fist. He’s balanced the past and present like yin and yang, and, artistically, has injected just the right amount of fantasy into this kick-ass Kung-fu tragedy.

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #4

Magneto #6 (Marvel): Bunn’s Magneto–and his approach to piecing the vengeful mutant’s story together–has been attractive on a very singular level. Who needs layers, right? Not Bunn; not here. And his decision to keep it simple–employing steely page turns to great effect along the way–has been the key to his making Magneto a must read. #5, however, crashed into a cliche. Hope things return to normal here.

Miracleman #8 (Marvel): Still sitting on 5-7. Derek’s been raving about them. I’ll get around to ’em eventually.

Moon Knight #5 (Marvel): Thanks to Warren Ellis’s vision, Moon Knight‘s been weird and fun, smart and exciting. It’s also been a showcase for Declan Shalvey, as Ellis has allowed him to do some top-notch visual storytelling. #4 was particularly weird, and in its weirdness offered up some terrific transitions in the mindscape and ended emphatically on an abrupt note, one that reminds of Terry Moore’s sudden endings on Rachel Rising. Moon Knight is so much better than anything Dark Knight right now. I hope that the coming change in creative team doesn’t change that.

Rocket Raccoon #1 (Marvel): I’m gonna give it a shot because Derek said he’s giving it a shot on the strength of Skottie Young.

Rocket Raccoon #1

Caliban #4 (Avatar): I’ve enjoyed it enough for what it is: a Sci-Fi horror story with some grisly moments–see the end of #3–a la Avatar. Ennis’s writing keeps the story moving, even if it doesn’t necessarily help one differentiate among the characters; in that, his ensemble cast, so far, anyway, lacks star power. Not typical of Ennis.

Extinction Parade: War #1 (Avatar): It’s been a while since the first arc ended. Might have to freshen up before going to war.

Quantum and Woody #12 (Valiant): #10 earned a spot in our Top 5 for May because it came together on so many levels to create a terrific character study of the wild and wonderful Woody. #11 was a strong follow up with some real hot dogging by James Asmus, who has established himself as one of the best funny businessmen in comics. Hard to believe this book–at least this iteration–is coming to a close. Reason to be excited: the team-up with Archer and Armstrong. Van Lente and Asmus together on the same book? Readers may literally die from laughing so hard.

Quantum and Woody #12

The Twilight Zone #6 (Dynamite): #5 drew us into another part of the world Straczynski created during the first arc. A much less interesting part of the world. Look out for the heavy hand!

Uber #15 (Avatar): I always look forward to reading Gillen’s Uber because it’s never a difficult read and because something remarkable always happens to force the story forward. What more can one ask for? Also of note: it’s very different stylistically from The Wicked & The Divine. That one read like a Hickman book. I know his latest offering is only one issue in, but as of now, I prefer what he’s doing with Uber.

Astro City #13 (DC/Vertigo): While #11 earned Top 5 honors for April, #12 left us wanting. We’re still wanting–wanting #13 to make us want for nothing. I’m betting on Busiek and Anderson and their single-issue, Astro City version of a season of 24.

Astro City #13

Royals: Masters of War #5 (DC/Vertigo): Rob Williams had himself a helluva month of May. Ordinary #1 was extraordinary, and Royals #4 was a crowning achievement! A little inside info: you just may see Mr. Williams’ name on our next Top 5 list. For which book? You’ll just have to wait and see! Until then, bombs away!

Royals: Masters of War #5

Starlight #4 (Image): A stellar first issue has fallen a bit to formula. Typical of Millar, no? Sell that concept! Sell, sell, sell! Worthy of praise: it’s been on time. That’s something! Aw, heck: of course I want to see how Flash–I mean, Duke–gets out of this scrape!

All-New X-Men #28 (Marvel): I’ve finally come ’round–or is it that Bendis has finally come ’round? Hmm. Probably a bit of both. Just like any good–or evil–mutant, it takes time for their powers to manifest; this mutant manifesto just so happened to reach puberty at #26. Phew. This has been–by far–the longest leash I’ve ever let out.

The United States of Murder #2 (Marvel): Speaking of Bendis: #1 wasn’t a game changer by any means, but I found the twist at the end enough of a lure to go at least one more.

Armor Hunters #1 (Valiant): Of course I’m gonna try it! Venditti has sold it well enough in X-O.

Dicks #1 (Avatar): Ennis, McCrea, and Avatar? Seems like a menage a trois made in a seedy apartment. Fast forward to next month, assuming the best, of course: Well, wouldn’t you know: turns out I do like Dicks! I know at least one ex-girlfriend, who, short on context, would say, “Mm-hmm.”

The Empty Man #1 (BOOM!): Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Magneto)–a fella who’s full of ideas–teams up with Vanesa Del Rey (Hit)–a striking stylist, who’s in need of a strong showing after a disappointing turn on Zero–to infect our bags with a viral mini.

Uber #14 (Avatar): #13 was a very different Uber story. Sure, it was a big ol’ cliche; but that’s OK: Katyusha is a character that just tugs at your heartstrings–and rips your heart through your ribs and blows the rest of you to bits. Gotta love her and what Gillen’s been doing with Uber.

Avery’s Pick of the Week:

Bee and Puppycat #2 (BOOM!): #1 was a winner–though Grammy was a bit concerned about Puppycat: “It’s just…unnatural!” Get over it, Grandma! Avery likes it!

Justice League United #1 (DC): #0 didn’t grab me in any way, but I’m going to give it another shot anyway. Jeff Lemire’s earned that–though not so much with his hero books. While Animal Man started off well enough–and we said as much by making it one of our top books of 2012–it kind of lost its way during and after the “Rotworld” crossover with Swamp Thing and never lived up to its promise. His run on Justice League Dark wasn’t spectacular; and I couldn’t get past the second issue of his current–and surprisingly well-regarded–run on Green Arrow. Trillium was mostly a success, highlighted by some terrific visual storytelling. The story itself–well, not so much: I really wanted to connect to the characters and their plight but, alas, found that I could not. Come to think of it, we did celebrate his Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.–and rightfully so; it was pretty terrific. We’ll see what happens here. Expectations aren’t very high.

Royals: Masters of War #4 (DC/Vertigo): Has been OK. #3 was definitely better than an impatiently paced #2, that’s for sure. Feels like the overly coddled child of Montynero and Michael Dowling’s Death Sentence and Kieron Gillen and Canaan White’s Uber. Doesn’t quite live up to either.

Shutter #2 (Image): Leaning toward passing mainly because there wasn’t much about #1 that I liked. In fact, I hated the ending. I’ll flip through this one just to be fair.

Starlight #3 (Image): The series has been very good. #1 was great. #2 was a decent follow-up. The most remarkable quality of the series thus far? It’s been on time! Hey, is this really a Mark Millar book? Love, love, love Goran Parlov’s art, which transports me back–not too far back, mind you–to the fabulous Fury: My War Gone By, which was one of our top books of 2013and has been nominated for the 2014 Innie for Best Limited Series. So, perhaps I’m predisposed to liking this series for that reason. Could also be that I’m predisposed to liking well-written stories that deliver sentimentality with a tender hand. Millar has certainly done that with Starlight–so far, anyway.

Starlight #3

Stray Bullets: Killers #3 (Image): A transcendent #1 was followed by a mediocre #2. Here’s hoping that this one returns to form–the form we’ve come to expect from David Lapham.

Stray Bullets: Killers #3

All-New X-Men #27 (Marvel): The scene that brought together Jean and present-day Cyclops was an effective one–one of the best of the series. It’s those little flashes of Bendis brilliance that keep me coming back for more.

Quantum and Woody #10 (Valiant): Continues to be a lot of fun. How’s this for a comparison: it’s the Rat Queens of the Valiant Universe, just, you know, done up a tad more tastefully–if that’s even possible.

Uber #13 (Avatar): Finally read #11. (A pull list problem, if you must know.) It was the best single issue of the series and has reignited my excitement in what Gillen’s doing with his twist on WWII.

Batman Eternal #4 (DC): Your eyes are not deceiving you: I’m still on board! #3 offered up enough to keep me interested. I only wish I knew who is responsible for the parts I like…

Southern Bastards #1 (Image): I’m willing to give this a shot because I liked what Jason Aaron did on Wolverine and the X-Men–until the AvX crossover nonsense. Haven’t read Scalped, but, like you, I’ve heard good things.

Hulk #2 (Marvel): I actually passed on #1 the week it came out. Picked it up last week, however, because Derek recommended it. Good call. Waid is always worth a shot; and in this case his new direction for Dr. Banner read a lot like Busiek’s Astro City, with the focus on the surgeon and his ethical dilemma.

Silver Surfer #2 (Marvel): We loved Silver Surfer #1! In fact, we celebrated it as our #5 book of March!

Silver Surfer #2

Doc Savage #5 (Dynamite): I’ve finally caught up–meaning: I read the first four over the weekend. I’m glad I piled them up without having read one; this is pretty good stuff! Also reads a bit like Astro City. And that ain’t a bad thing.

Rachel Rising #25 (Abstract Studio): One of our favorite series took quite a step back with #24. It was such a significant step in the wrong direction that we called it our Biggest Dis(appointment) of March. You know we’re hoping for a comeback–for Terry Moore to rise to the level we’ve come to love.

Rachel Rising #25

Rai #1 (Valiant): Matt Kindt kicks off another Valiant title: the return of Rai! OK, so, I don’t know anything about Rai; but I know from Kindt, and I dig ‘im lots. Not that Unity’s been great or anything. Mind MGMT, however, has earned Kindt lifetime Must Try status.

The Massive #22 (Dark Horse): Brian Wood and Danijel Zezelj follow up the very strong “Bloc” arc–which earned Wood and Garry Brown I&N top book status for February and March–with “Sahara,” which promises to slake our thirst for more Mary.

The Massive #22

Mind MGMT #21 (Dark Horse): Those of you who have been following our little blog for a while may have been surprised to see that #20 didn’t crack our Top 5 Books of March. Believe me: after hashing out the list, we were pretty surprised, too! Matt Kindt certainly didn’t disappoint: he drew out an issue highlighting a giant of Mind MGMT past, and did so using tall panels to accentuate, well, the agent’s giantness. Super clever–and, more important, super effective! Kindt’s artistic approach often results in impossibly long-limbed figures; #20 acts, then, as an ectomorphic celebration! This new offering promises to be a silent issue, which, in Kindt’s capable hands, promises to say plenty, as his art often tells most of the story anyway. On a nostalgic note: when I think “silent issue,” like you, I go right to G.I Joe #21. I also think of Martin Wagner’s Hepcats because, if memory serves, there was a stunning silent issue that focused on child abuse. Does anyone remember that?

Mind MGMT #21

Batman Eternal #3 (DC): So, I gave #2 a shot despite my not being excited about #1. Wasn’t much of an improvement. Some storytelling yips persist–including the agonizing, issue-long reveal of the antagonist; and the dialogue’s nothing to talk about. And that said, I’ll probably pick this up.

Dead Boy Detectives #5 (DC/Vertigo): Still like the vibe and the possibilities.

Justice League United #0 (DC): Lemire on a hero book doesn’t excite, but I’m going to try it nevertheless.

Lazarus #8 (Image): Like The Massive, Lazarus has been one of our top books for February and March. Can’t help but think of Ginsberg’s “Howl” because that’s what I think of when I think of Denver: “who journeyed to Denver, who died in Denver, who came back to Denver & waited in vain, who watched over Denver & brooded & loned in Denver and finally went away to find out the Time, & now Denver is lonesome for her heroes.” Well, that and Dave Loggins’ “Please, Come to Boston.”

Lazarus #8

The Manhattan Projects #20 (Image): #19 was a tad frivolous–I mean, did we really need to see the Oppenheimer civil war? The end presented an interesting twist, however. Oh, I’m definitely down with dueling Einsteins.

Sheltered #8 (Image): Has become a bit “is what it is,” hasn’t it?

Zero #7 (Image): We liked #1-#4 enough to celebrate Kot’s baby as a top title of 2013. #5 was OK, although the idea of aliens being thrust into the mix wasn’t all that thrilling. #6 wasn’t very good at all–writing-wise or art-wise. Yeah, unfortunately, we weren’t blown away by Vanesa Del Rey’s work, which was tough to follow at times. Expectations have fallen to just about, well, zero.

Daredevil #2 (Marvel): The reboot/relaunch/rewhatever was underwhelming. I kinda dig the whole devil out of water device; but outside of that, #1 wasn’t much of anything, really.

Elektra#1 (Marvel): I’ve been an Elektra junkie forever. I’m interested in seeing how half of the former Batwoman writing duo–W. Haden Blackman–handles the deadly sairen.

Elektra #1

The Bunker #3 (Oni Press): Has been very good. Fialkov’s handling the time-travel aspect as if it isn’t an obstacle to the storytelling process, when, in fact, it’s like skipping through a minefield. Impressive, indeed!

Evil Empire #2 (BOOM!): #1 ended on a sharp note, that’s for sure. We’ll see if Bemis and Getty can keep the momentum going.

Evil Empire #2

Harbinger #22 (Valiant): Recently read that Harbinger‘s ending as of #25. A bit of a bummer, sure, but it does lighten the load without my having to be the one to make the dreaded decision.

Letter 44 #6 (Oni Press): I was planning on dropping it, but with this being the arc ender and all…

The Midas Flesh #5 (BOOM!): About as much fun as you’re bound to have with a finger. #4 suffered a bit from some strained development; but overall the series has been really good.